CHIPLING 2 – PLAYING WITH FIRE

AN: short chapter so y'all know I'm alive, life is kicking my ass so pls be patient I do plan on writing this series to completion (uwu wink wink)

The road to Forks was undeniably beautiful. The green outside of the city was even richer. The clouds rolled in and rain started as we got closer to the small town. I try to avoid small talk whenever possible, but Gran had other plans.

"So, Monkey, do you have a plan yet?" Gran asked lightly.

"Not really, get settled for starters."

"Well, you can stay as long as you need. We'll get the rest sorted later."

"Thanks, Gran. I love you."

"Love you too, Squirt."

And with that our chat ended for the rest of the drive. We sat and listened to old music until we pulled up to the house. It was just like I had remembered it, a small one story with a picket fence and porch swing. The faded blue paint chipped around the edges, but the inside was nice. A cozy open-concept living room and kitchen greeted us at the door. Inviting and bright, it had always been a bit of a safe haven. I took my bag down the hall to my room and set it on the large bed.

We sat in the living room, sipping coffee and watching Gran's mystery shows. "I sort of maybe kind of bought you a little something. As a welcome gift." She pulled out a box and handed it to me. I carefully opened it, finding a gaming console setup. "I remember you saying you lost yours in the breakup, so I went out and got you a new one."

"Thank you! You really didn't have to." I wrapped her in a tight hug.

She sheepishly asked if I had found a vehicle yet. When I told her I hadn't, she looked suspiciously relieved. She waved for me to follow her out to the backyard.

I followed her out with caution. She opened the door of the small shack to reveal a thin dirt bike, with chipped paint and a dented headlight. "I know it's not much, but it's enough to get you by around here."

I was awestruck. It may have been dented and old, but it was lovely. "Where did you get it from?" I asked.

"Do you remember Billy Black? He bought a pair for his son Jacob to restore, and they wanted to say welcome too! Maybe you two can ride together sometime."

The kindness kicked me in the gut, leaving me misty-eyed. I was a little shocked to hear that, as I hadn't really talked to them since before I came out. I wasn't expecting them to be as welcoming as they were. "Maybe we will; I'll thank them the next time I see them. Jacob should be in what, his senior year now?"

"Oh, I'm not sure, I don't know how school works on the reservation."

"Oh well, I'll figure it out."

We headed back inside and continued watching Gran's shows. Later into the evening she gave me a hug and kiss goodnight and headed to bed. I went to my room and set up the console. Securing cables mixed and matched to their spots, after a few minutes, I had it all set up. Taking my seat in front of the screen I powered it on. The loaded game was some online first-person shooter I had never played. Being the only game I had at the moment, I launched it.

I wasted the night playing, chatting, and fighting with strangers, making a few friends in the process. It was about 4 AM when I decided to log off and sleep. I needed to log out quickly if I wanted to get out of the lobby before the next round. Just missing the mark, I thought to myself: oh nooooo, what ever will I do? The answer always being 'one more round.' I grabbed some water while waiting for the game to load.

All of my newfound friends had logged off, leaving me to join a random party. And being so late/early I wasn't sure what the players would be like. The game started and the general chatter filled my headphones. It seemed like I had been matched with a whole group that played together regularly. They all seemed very vocal, making digs at each other and communicating their whereabouts.

Of course the second I say something, I get the immediate influx of 'girl?'. "RICO9 behind you."

"Girl?" "GirL?" "GIRLL?" "Gorl?" They sounded like the seagulls from Finding Nemo.

"Not a girl, just a twink." I managed through gasps of laughter. (AN: based on a True Story TM)

One member of this group stood out at first because he was so quiet compared to the rest of them, but then it became apparent he was their star player. I wasn't sure if heard him say a word the whole match, but he was expertly playing. When he finally did come on mic, he didn't sound anything like I had expected him to. His voice was elegant, alluring, and mature.

"They went top." As soon as the words were out I watched his tag flash across my screen: ALLY (NOTAVAMPYRE) HAS BEEN SLAIN.

"Rest in pepperoni my dude." It was also one of the only things I had said that game. Almost instantly, I was killed by the same enemy. YOU (MAYBEACRYPTID) HAVE BEEN SLAIN filled the screen.

"You're not a very good killer for a cryptid are you?" That voice again.

Annoyed, I retorted: "Well you're not very bright for a vampire either but here we are."

My dig at his intelligence seemed to have struck a nerve, as I didn't hear him again the rest of the match. The game concluded with the boys all saying goodnight to each other and hoping they'd play with me again. I reciprocated their sentiments and exited the software. I was about to log off completely when I saw in the corner of my screen: NOTAVAMPYRE HAS SENT YOU A FRIEND REQUEST.

I accepted the request and sent him a message:

I DIDNT THINK VAMPIRES LIKED FRIENDS?

MAYBE SO, BUT YOU INTRIGUE ME.

I 'INTRIGUE' YOU? BECAUSE YOU WANT MY SPOOKY MAGIC HUH? I'LL PLAY YOUR GAME, BUT YOU KNOW AS WELL AS I DO CRYPTIDS SHOULDN'T ASSOCIATE WITH EACH OTHER ;)

PLAYING WITH FIRE, THEN.

IT'S A SPECIALTY.

And with that I logged off and went to bed.